New testing in Germany has been described as “successful” by Aurrigo International, the developer of an “autonomous” luggage mover called an Auto-DollyTug.
The tool is used to carry a unit load device (ULD), with the ability to load or unload automatically. It tows luggage or cargo-filled ULDs with “unparalleled agility” according to Aurrigo, with 360° movement and “bi-directional sideways movement.”
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The latest testing in Germany was held at Stuttgart Airport as part of the Digital Testbed Air Cargo (DTAC) Demonstration; led by the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics (IML).
A minister from the German federal department for Digital and Transport, Oliver Luksic, witnessed the second round of tests in the country after trials at Munich earlier in the year.
David Keene, CEO of Aurrigo International said: “To have Mr Luksic on site to see the test firsthand was a massive honour, and the feedback we received for our pioneering innovation was extremely positive.”
“Our ability to lead the world in this autonomous technology has come from successful collaborations with a host of international partners. The Digital Testbed Air Cargo Demonstration is the latest one and we’re delighted to have successfully showcased the difference Auto-DollyTug can make at busy airports like Stuttgart,” he said.
The demonstration showed a host of features:
· Autonomous transport of cargo containers to the aircraft position
· Autonomous recognition of the loading device (high loader) at the aircraft position and cargo handover
· Collaborative behaviour in mixed traffic with manual vehicles and pedestrians, including yielding right of way
· Reliable detection of static and dynamic obstacles.
“The use of autonomous vehicles can make processes more efficient and safer. This is a crucial step towards a digital and interconnected air freight transport chain,” Luksic added.
The technology is set to be used at six global airports, including Singapore’s Changi, where they have been in on-site testing since May.
“The tests demonstrate how autonomous vehicles can efficiently and precisely handle the transport of cargo containers, making handling more predictable and resilient even in times of skilled labour shortages,” said Benjamin Bierwirth, professor for controlling and logistics at Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences.
This marks a significant advancement in the industry and offers a promising outlook on the future of air cargo logistics,” Bierwirth claimed.
